WHY OPPOSE THE FLORIDA SAFE SEAS ACT? H.R. 3831
H.R. 3831 would impose a sweeping federal prohibition without demonstrating that Florida’s responsible shark-diving industry creates the problems the bill claims to address.
The consequences could extend far beyond individual dive operators —
affecting tourism, small businesses, scientific research, conservation education, and America’s ability to compete in the global shark-ecotourism market.
A Ban Is Not a Substitute for Evidence
Florida does not have to choose between public safety and shark ecotourism. It can protect both through science-based standards, responsible operating practices, and meaningful stakeholder participation.
Congress should not dismantle a valuable coastal industry without first demonstrating that the activity being prohibited is causing a measurable problem.
Responsible Regulation Is a Better Solution
Implement and enforce safe interaction guidelines rather than an outright ban.
Industry standards such as GIMEC and Project AWARE/WWF guidelines are already used by more than 90% of shark dive operators.
Responsible regulation can protect public safety while preserving conservation and economic benefits.
FLORIDA IS ONE OF THE WORLD'S PREMIER SHARK RESEARCH HUBS
Florida waters support hundreds of shark-research field days each year.
Researchers tag, measure, sample, photograph, and monitor hundreds of sharks annually.
Scientists, students, volunteers, conservation organizations, and dive operators contribute thousands of hours to shark research and education.
Florida hosts internationally recognized programs studying shark movement, behavior, health, ecology, and population trends.
Research conducted in Florida informs fisheries management, conservation policy, species protection, and public-safety initiatives.
Restricting reliable access to sharks could disrupt research partnerships, educational opportunities, and long-term scientific monitoring.
The Science Does Not Justify a Federal Ban
No conclusive scientific evidence demonstrates that responsibly managed shark-diving operations increase danger to swimmers or the general public.
Research has not established that shark ecotourism causes an increase in shark attacks.
Decades of shark-diving activity around the world have not produced evidence of a corresponding increase in public-safety incidents.
Florida should not lose an established tourism and conservation industry based on assumptions that have not been scientifically demonstrated.
The ban effectively ends Florida's offshore shark-diving industry.
Would send divers — and their tourism spending to competing destinations like the Bahamas.
Threatens Florida jobs, small businesses, and coastal communities that rely on shark-diving tourism.
Undermines decades of conservation, research, education, and sustainable marine ecotourism.
Shark Diving Supports Florida's Tourism Economy
Shark Diving Creates Conservation Advocates
Seeing sharks in the wild replaces fear and misinformation with understanding and respect.
Guided encounters help people recognize the essential role sharks play in healthy marine ecosystems.
Divers frequently become lifelong conservation advocates, educators, donors, photographers, and “shark ambassadors.”
Shark diving helps dismantle the outdated image of sharks as indiscriminate man-eaters.
These experiences build public support for science-based shark conservation and responsible ocean stewardship.
The Greater Threat
Is to Sharks —
not From Them
Tens of millions of sharks are killed globally each year through fishing, bycatch, finning, and international trade.
Fatal shark encounters remain extremely rare compared with the number of people entering the ocean each year.
Public policy should reflect the actual scale of the risks facing sharks and marine ecosystems.
Restricting responsible shark ecotourism does nothing to address the primary causes of global shark mortality.
SHARKS ARE MORE VALUABLE ALIVE
A living shark can attract paying visitors repeatedly throughout its lifetime.
Once harvested, a shark provides only a one-time economic return.
Shark tourism creates continuing value for charter operators, hotels, restaurants, dive shops, photographers, educators, and coastal communities.
Protecting shark populations supports jobs, tax revenue, scientific research, and long-term economic activity.
“No one will protect what they don't care about; and no one will care about what they
have never experienced”
- Sir David Attenborough